The Boeing Company

Hojun Yoon

Richard Roland King

Jiangtian Cheng

Paul Stanley Nordman

James H Ermer

Xiaobo Zhang

Jerry R Kukulka

Maggy L Lau

Geoffrey S Kinsey

Denton W McAlister

A multifunctional composite panel and a system for fabricating the multifunctional composite panel are disclosed. The multifunctional composite panel may include a plurality of structural layers and a plurality of photovoltaic layers disposed adjacent the plurality of structural layers. The structural layers may include a plurality of alternating layers where each of the alternating layers includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer may include one or more polymers and the second layer may include one or more inorganic materials. The system for fabricating the multifunctional composite panel may include a based configured to support the multifunctional composite panel and a plurality of application heads disposed proximal the based and configured to form layers of the multifunctional composite panel.

Multifunctional composite panels and methods for the same

Methods and apparatuses for creating solar cell assemblies with bonded interlayers are disclosed. In summary, the present invention describes an apparatus and method for making a solar cell assembly with transparent conductive bonding interlayers. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a substrate, a first solar cell, coupled to a first side of the substrate, wherein the first solar cell comprises a first Transparent Conductive Coating (TCC) layer coupled to a first polarity electrode of the first solar cell, and a second solar cell, the second solar cell being bonded to the first solar cell by bonding the first TCC layer to the second solar cell.

Multijunction solar cell with bonded transparent conductive interlayer

A method for fabricating a multifunctional composite panel is disclosed. The method can include forming a plurality of structural layers, and forming a plurality of photovoltaic layers adjacent the plurality of structural layers. Forming the plurality of structural layers can include forming alternating layers of a conductive organic material and an inorganic material. Forming the alternating layers can include forming a first layer from the conductive organic material, and forming a second layer adjacent the first layer from the inorganic material. The multifunctional composite panel can have a thickness of from about 1 mm to about 30 mm.

A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor active region, a semiconductor contact layer, at least one metal migration semiconductor barrier layer, and a metal contact. The metal migration semiconductor barrier layer may be embedded within the semiconductor contact layer. Furthermore, the metal migration semiconductor barrier layer may be located underneath or above and in intimate contact with the semiconductor contact layer. The metal migration semiconductor barrier layer and the semiconductor contact layer form a contact structure that prevents metals from migrating from the metal contact into the semiconductor active layer during long-term exposure to high temperatures. By providing a robust contact structure that may be used in semiconductor structures, for example in solar cells that power spacecraft or terrestrial solar cells used under concentrated sunlight, the high temperature reliability of the semiconductor structure will be improved and the operation time will be prolonged.

Growing community of inventors

Stevenson Ranch, CA, United States of America

Hojun Yoon